Black Ash II, Feb 2010
Lula Rood holding a basket that her grandmother made (darker) and one that she made.
We’re happy to announce that we had yet another very successful black ash class on February 13th and 14th. Almost everyone who came to the first class was able to make it to the second. All CPP’s (Committed Project Participants) returned. We also had more youth involved this time. I would like everyone to know how much we appreciate all the CPP’s hard work, dedication and efforts to improve their skills. Mary, Loretta and I know we have an excellent group of Basketry CPPs!
As part of our ANA grant, we periodically do evaluations on the CPP’s work to assess their progress. In our last class, we asked Wasson to evaluate them to-date. Everyone is doing very well and coming along as we’d like. Everyone advances at their own speed and the CPP’s enthusiasm has been great so we are very pleased with how everything is progressing.
At our last class, Master Artist Wasson Dillard, added to our knowledge of basketry by teaching us how to make “16 bottom” baskets. Back in January, we learned how to make “8 bottom” baskets which means we used 8 splints for the bottom. The “16 bottom” basket provides greater strength and durability to the product, allowing us to make larger baskets. Wasson also taught how to add beautiful embellishments to the outside of the baskets and sweetgrass along the rim.
In addition to the most enjoyable and entertaining way in which Wasson shares her knowledge, she really knows how to motivate us to help one another. Rather than demonstrating the same thing to all of us, Wasson moved about the room showing individuals different styles and techniques. By the end of our weekend class, as a whole we had a much broader knowledge of how to weave different rims, add fancy curly cues around the body of the baskets and how to include sweetgrass and lacing (or fencing) around the tops. In this way, we can continue increasing our knowledge by sharing with one another the particular skills we learned.
Our next formal class in basketry won’t take place until next January and February, 2011. In the meantime, we want the basketry CPP’s (and all others who learned) to continue weaving throughout the year. At the end of this grant year (Sept. 2010) we’ll take a photo of CPP’s best work for our photo gallery.
We would like to express our thanks and appreciation to Wasson who has gone above and beyond what we have asked from her. Her generosity to us and her passion for keeping traditional basketry alive and well has proven to excite our own passions for the artwork.
Several of us in the Brutus area will soon be harvesting a Black Ash and processing it into splints. This won’t be the only time this is done so hopefully as more people become interested, more will help with this part of the work. (Even if you don’t wish to weave, we could use volunteers to help process!) As it is, there will be around 10 or 12 of us working at this next harvesting and we’ll keep everyone posted in the newsletter as we progress.
We will provide our basket makers (CPP’s and non-CPP’s) with supplies as long as they are available. However, since good and appropriate supplies cannot be purchased in a store, out of necessity there is a lot of hard work that we will need to continue through harvesting, etc. My feelings on this is that those who are not CPPs (but have been involved in making baskets or are serious about learning) are more than welcome to help with the work and share in the splints. As Wasson has taught, those who are willing to put in the hard work to process deserve to share in the fun of weaving. The flip side of that is that if people aren’t willing to help with the hard part, they won’t be getting splints. That is not to be selfish. That is because as many know by now, it’s not an easy, quick task to process the Ash and it makes us appreciate what the baskets are worth once we understand the work involved. It is important that those who learn basketry, also know how to harvest. After all, without the hard work, there would be no supplies and thus no baskets.
I’d also like to remind those who have learned to weave, that at our first Black Ash class Wasson reminded us that it is always good to give back. It is a good way to live. Therefore, I ask that those who have learned please to donate a basket to the Project from time to time. With that said, our office collection of donated baskets is growing! We’re up to 10 baskets now.
Not only will donations help support the Project’s Eyaawing (Who We Are) Mentorship Program at the end of the grant, it serves as an inspiration to help us continue weaving. Remember, these trainings aren’t just for fun, they are meant to keep encouraging others to learn, to preserve traditional knowledge for future generations and to keep members continuing in a community setting. Our goal is to have the top ledge along the East wall of the office filled with baskets! Give, give, give…it’ll come back to you through your children and grandchildren’s benefits!
Finding a venue to sell artwork has been written into the grant. Therefore, Mary and I will be researching different avenues to that end.
Chi-miigwech to all once again for making our classes such great successes!! We really appreciate the dedication and level of commitment we have received so far. It does my heart good, people!
Kathy Kae
Traditional Arts Director
